An Unexpected End (Jeremiah 29 Study)
Greetings FireStarters! Today’s Ignition Journal entry comes from a guest writer, my beautiful little sister 
Faith Marie with Husband, Michael
Faith Marie is a rock-solid student of the Word and a lover of God’s people. She sent the study I’m about to share with you now, on Jeremiah 29, and I wanted to share it also with you! I hope you find it something (or all) of this post reaches your heart.
And as always, remember: LIVE your faith, BE the image of Christ in your life and you will set other’s hearts on fire! Be a FireStater today!
-Jeremiah St. James
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“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” -Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an UNEXPECTED end.
Have you ever just sat and thought about what your future will look like? We all have those moments where we just wonder how things will turn out, where you’ll be, what you’ll be doing. Fact is none of us can predict the future, but what we do today will affect what happens tomorrow. We all know the famous scripture Jeremiah 29:11 “for I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you a hope and future.” we all hang onto this during rough times, good times, but what about the original version of this passage? It reads, “ For I know the thoughts that I think towards you,” says the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an unexpected end.” Just the different versions of text changes so much. Breaking down the passage even more gives you a new outlook not only on the scripture but on life.
If you feel like you are down and out, read this over and over and let it sink into your heart. If you feel like failure is all you’ve ever known, write this on your bathroom mirror and remind yourself who you are every day!
“For I know” tells me that God is a God that understands you. He perceives everything about your present situation, He is aware of everything you experience.
“the thoughts” goes to show that God not only understands but everything you meditate on He knows! What you think about will eventually show you your purpose in life, what you think about is what you become!
“that I think” remember this is God talking to you. Yes! He thinks about me and you! How awesome is that? The creator of the universe has thoughts about you? If that doesn’t get you excited, I don’t know what will! When He thinks of you, He sees you as a whole complete, spotless, human being. He esteems and values you to the highest level. Our God honors you, and values you so highly that He takes time out of His day to think about YOU!
“towards you” When God thinks about you, not only is he regarding you as one of His own but He is declaring life over you. He wants nothing more than for you to see yourself as He sees you.
“Says the Lord” Only God can speak the things that don’t exist into your life. He is the supreme meditator, the one who puts into motion the matters of your heart. We are usually the ones who go off track and choose our own destiny rather than what God had planned for us.
“thoughts” That’s right god thinks! Just like me and you, He has thoughts about everything, His creation, our future, and our plans. When He thinks, He wants nothing more than to set into motion a purpose for our life; a purpose fulfilling and honorable to Him.
“of peace” Peace is the absence of war. Doesn’t have to be a physical war, but an emotional war is most tormenting to people. We usually associate peace with our feelings and emotions. Peace is being completely content with who you are in Christ. Someone who carries peace prosperity follows.
“and not of evil” God gave you and me a sound mind; one that will not waver back and forth on the things of this world. One that will not disagree with the words and thoughts God has declared over your life. Thoughts of evil will only cause you to be unpleasant to be around and peace will be absent from your life.
“to give” Our creator gives! He gave His life, He gave His only Son, He gave you and me a purpose to live. When God gives you something He is setting in motion a plan for you. He is setting you up for success.
“you an unexpected” Just when you least expect it God will throw you a rope of hope! One that will get you through your current circumstance, a rope that will give you the strength to hold onto what He has placed over your life. When it seems like down is the only way, God gives you hope!
“End” Ehe end is not the end, its only the beginning! When one door closes another one opens to your future! The end of one thing, changes the outcome of tomorrow. Your future is now! Prosperity, health, peace, joy!
If I were to read this passage it would read:
For I understand your future, I value you and declare purpose, a complete and prosperous future, nothing will disagree with your plans, I have set before you a rope of hope to climb towards your future!
Now let’s Personalize it!
For I know the plans I have for (your name), Declares the Lord, Plans to prosper (your name) and not to harm (your name), plans to give (your name) a hope and a future.
-Faith Marie
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